Tussle over route keeps them apart

source: NST 2009/12/29

KUALA LUMPUR: Viva Palestina Malaysia yesterday delivered an appeal letter by hand to the Egyptian government, via its embassy here, to allow its convoy, now stuck in Aqabah, Jordan, to enter Gaza.The convoy has been stranded in Aqabah for four days.

Viva Palestina secretary (executive committee) Azra Banu said the Egyptian government wanted the convoy to take an 800km detour back to Syria before taking a ferry to cross the Suez Canal.

This, however, would delay the convoy in getting medical supplies for victims in the war-torn zone.

The convoy also has to incur an additional US$50 million (RM171 million) in travel cost.

Azra said the appeal was made by Viva Palestina founder, British member of parliament George Galloway, also a lawyer, who believes an appeal to the embassy would be of help.

"We would like to appeal to the Egyptian government to ensure safe and quick passage for the convoy carrying perishable humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. The supplies must reach Gaza as soon as possible.

"We do feel that they can come up with a solution. The convoy itself can be broken into smaller groups," said Azra.

"We don't expect a solution right away, although we do feel that it can be resolved in the next few days. The aid, we believe, will ultimately reach the people of Gaza.

"It's just a question of when the aid can be delivered."

Egyptian ambassador to Malaysia Hani Abdel Kader Ahmed Shash said he would like everyone to know that Egypt fully supported and agreed to allow the convoy to enter Gaza.

"There is only one technical problem -- the Nuweiba roads are too small for big caravans. There are more than 200 vehicles on such roads," he said when met at the embassy yesterday.

"So, we have suggested that they take the Al-Arish route near the Mediterranean sea, which is not only wider, but closer to Gaza.

"We initially told Galloway, through our embassy in London, to use the Al-Arish route as it is only a few kilometres away from Gaza.

"The authorities there are ready to receive the convoy but he refused."

He promised to forward the message to the Egyptian government and hoped they would come to a compromise soon.